Enjoy the school hols with National Trust Norfolk

With schools breaking up and the warm weather forecast to last, it’s time for the summer holidays to begin, so gather your family and enjoy what the National Trust in Norfolk has to offer.

Whether you’re budding architects ready to build sandcastles at the beach, adventurers who fancy a bike ride through a forest or explorers keen to walk through a rainbow sea of flowers, the National Trust’s woodlands, parks, gardens and coastline offer unlimited fun.

Join the team to learn how to catch a crab (and how to hold the scary beasts), borrow some binoculars to check out the birdlife, go bug hunting, or explore the grassland at Friary Hills. Grab your scrapbook and collect your stickers and stamps. Stay for as little or as long as you like, and start ticking off your adventures. Sorry, no dogs on Friary Hills. Meet at Blakeney Quay.

Wild Wednesdays - Brancaster EstateWednesday, 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 August

Join the team for a day of 50 things themed family fun on the Norfolk Coast at Brancaster Beach. Fly one of the kites (or bring your own), try stone skimming, track a wild animal, build an epic sandcastle, or sit back and watch the birdlife or hunt for bugs. Grab your scrapbook and collect your stickers and stamps. Stay for as little or as long as you like and start ticking off your adventures. Please meet at Brancaster Beach (PE31 8AX), look out for flags & staff.

Take a peek into the Victorian kitchen of the Mayor of Great Yarmouth as his staff prepare a magnificent banquet with moulded butter, carved veggies and pies decorated with bird feathers, heads and feet! Try your hand at icing and decorating fashionable dishes of the time under the watchful eye of the house cook.

Bat Walks - Felbrigg HallFriday 17 August, 8pm, Friday 31 August, 7pm

Explore the world of bats as you take a stroll around the estate as night falls. Learn about these fascinating mammals and listen to them with the help of a bat detector. Remember to bring a torch. The walk is most suitable for children of 9 years and older. Adult £5, Child £3.

Family Nature Trail - Blickling Estate

Take part in the family nature trail in the parkland any day of the week. This walk around the wider estate is ideal for older children as it encourages curious minds to solve riddles and complete the puzzle to reveal a mystery word. You can take part on foot or by bike; all you need to do is collect a trail sheet from visitor reception.

Cricket - Blickling EstateWeekends throughout summer, from 10am-4pm

Fancy a game of cricket? There are brilliant brand new cricket sets, courtesy of the Norfolk Cricket Board, available to borrow from cycle hire every weekend. A fully refundable £10 deposit is required upon hire and all equipment must be returned by 4pm at the latest to receive your refund.

Visit the gardens this summer and discover wildlife, hidden corners, secret tunnels and squishy trees. During school holidays, collect a children’s garden map from visitor reception and enjoy exploring the colourful, great outdoors this summer.

Be transported back to 15th century England, when Oxburgh was built, by dressing up as the Lord or Lady of the manor. Even become a Yeoman with shield and sword or a daughter of the house with long skirts. Suitable for kids big and small! This event is free to attend within normal admission charges, please visit the website for more information.

War of the Roses - Oxburgh HallSaturday 11 and Sunday 12 August, 11am-4pm

What was life like as a medieval soldier in the 15th century? What did they use? How did they eat? What did they look like? Find out how members of the family would have lived as soldiers during the War of the Roses as Oxburgh Hall becomes a soldier's encampment for the weekend. Real cannon fired each day (cannon ball not included!). This event is free to attend within normal admission charges - visit the website for more information.

Join us on Fridays in August as we help you complete the '50 things to do before you are 11 ¾ ' Different activities available - a variety with something for all age groups at each event. Drop-in activities - no need to book, please visit the website or call on 01263 820550 for more information on each event.

Has your family got what it takes to survive in the wild? Make your own weatherproof shelter and get a fire started without using matches. You'll look for edible plants and learn how to navigate using a compass. Come prepared for a full day out in the Norfolk backwoods! £22 per child, £18 for accompanying adults, please visit the website or call on 03442491895 to book!

Join the team as they search for Britain’s only venomous snake – the adder! Tracking wild animals is one of the 50 things to do before you’re 11¾! Tickets are £3 for accompanying adults and £5 for children. Please visit the website for more details or to book.